Iberia has officially launched its new direct route between Madrid and Tokyo, marking a significant milestone as the only non-stop flight between Spain and Japan. Departing from Terminal 4 at Madrid Airport, the inaugural flight took off at 11:55 a.m. with 352 passengers on board and will touch down at Narita Airport in Tokyo after 14 hours of travel.
Operating three times a week with Airbus A350 aircraft, the longest route in Iberia’s network spans 14 hours outbound and 16 hours on the return trip. Due to airspace restrictions over Russia, both legs of the journey fly eastwards, meaning Iberia’s flights will complete a full circuit around the globe. Travelers on this route will pass over the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Greenland, and near the North Pole, offering a unique, globe-spanning experience.
Given the distance and complexity of the route, the flight crew is doubled. Each flight is staffed with 4 pilots—2 captains and 2 co-pilots—and 10 cabin crew members. The cabin crew will include at least three Japanese-speaking PCCs to provide attentive service to Japanese passengers, ensuring a comfortable, culturally considerate experience.
The Airbus A350, Iberia’s most modern aircraft, offers seating in Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes and includes Japanese cultural touches. Japanese-speaking cabin crew, traditional tea service, and entertainment options featuring Japanese movies, series, and games create a tailored in-flight experience.
Iberia President Marco Sansavini emphasized the importance of this route, noting it is the airline’s first step in reconnecting with Japan post-pandemic, with plans to increase flight frequencies in 2025 as demand grows.
| Flight number | Origin-destination | Days of operation | Departure time | Arrival time |
| IB281 | Madrid-Tokyo | Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday | 11:55 | 10:15 the next day |
| IB282 | Tokyo-Madrid | Monday, Friday, and Sunday | 11:55 | 19.45 |
Source Iberia
